Chudleigh House School clocks 20

"I RECALL how my wife used to check our children's homework every evening and how our daughter once wrote that her mother owned a school.

That ignited the vision for my wife to establish a school and here we are now," said Patrick Chisanga, husband of Petronella, the proprietor of Chudleigh House School.

A story that began with the sowing of very small but well-selected seed 20 years ago took root and has now blossomed into an education success story serving as an inspiring example to many.

The couple was speaking shortly after celebrations to mark 20 years of the school being in existence having opened its doors on July 17, 1993 in Lusaka's Chudleigh residential area.

Mr Chisanga said initially, his wife wanted to have an all-girls school but he discouraged her and that is how she opted for a co-education one.

And he has been supporting his wife since its inception. His role has been to manage the school with the vision towards a brighter future.

Ms Chisanga said: "I believe that there will never be equality among men and women but it is up to the women to grab the opportunities and not accept or wait for anything to be done for them.

" Women should learn to grab opportunities whenever opportunities avail themselves, because it is no longer a man's world and both have to co-exist for the country to develop even further.

Born and raised in Livingstone, Ms Chisanga went to Maramba Secondary School and later proceeded to the University of Dublin in Ireland, where she studied for a degree in mathematics before coming back to Zambia in the early 1970s.

The mother of three served as deputy head at Saint Mary's in Kawambwa and headteacher at Matero Girls' Secondary School in Lusaka before she was retired in 1973 in national interest.

"Despite being retired in national interest and spending close to 13 years as a managing director for Zambia National Holding Limited, the desire for teaching was still burning in my heart and my love for it grew day by day," she said.

Apart from successfully opening her own school, she also boasts of owning the buildings. "Most schools rent infrastructure to run their institutions, but I have my own buildings and that is something I am satisfied with," she said.

Chudleigh House, one of the first private schools in the country, has since grown to include a stand-alone early learning centre, primary and secondary schools with 30 teachers and 300 pupils.

"Good and solid foundation in early years is the key to unlocking doors of opportunity for the rest of the children's lives.

Chudleigh House School pays particular attention to early child education," she said. She believes that education is not only important at national level but it's equally important for personal development as children mature into adulthood.

Good education helps in the fight against poverty and all other vices that affect the well-being of many people.

And to contribute to the growth of various sporting disciplines, the school is also constructing a swimming pool at a cost of K140,000.

As the old adage goes, 'a husband is a woman's glory'. This holds true to Ms Chisanga. Her husband and children have been instrumental in her crusade upon realising her love for education.

Mr Chisanga proudly described her as a wonderful mother, wife and great cook.

Ms Chisanga also challenged Government to pay attention to private schools the way priority is given to public ones because both play an important role in educating Zambian children.

During her spare time, Ms Chisanga loves to do gardening and spend time with her family.